Dr. David Guess has served as president and musical director of the Central Texas Choral Society since 2012. He also maintains a private voice studio where he teaches and coaches singers of all ages. Prior to taking the reigns of CTCS, he served as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He has also served on the faculty at Baylor University, McLennan Community College, and was the choral director at Waco High School from 1995-1997. He holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. When time allows, he enjoys spending time with family, doing yard work, and playing a round of golf with friends.

The Central Texas Choral Society is an auditioned community chorus in Waco, TX. Founded by former Baylor School of Music Professor Robert Young in 1976, the ensemble presents 3 to 4 concerts each season and is committed to the performance of important compositional milestones in the choral art. Recent performances include Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Forrest’s Requiem for the Living; Beethoven’s Mass in C and Choral Fantasy; Orff’s Carmina Burana; and Beethoven’s Symphony #9 “An die Freude.” CTCS members come from communities throughout Central Texas and from all walks of life – stay-at-home moms; business leaders; community activists; faculty from all levels of education; and exceptional high school singers. One of the unique aspects of the chorus is the participation of family units – husbands and wives; dads and sons; moms and daughters; even entire families often join together to have the wonderful experience of singing with CTCS.

Micah Hunter serves as Chorale Conductor for the Glacier Symphony & Chorale, Director of Choirs at Stillwater Christian School, and Adjunct Professor in the Music Department at Flathead Valley Community College, all in Kalispell, Montana. Micah holds the Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Master of Church Music in Choral Conducting from Pensacola Theological Seminary, and Bachelor of Music Education from Montana State University.

The Glacier Chorale is the symphonic choir attached to the Glacier Symphony and Chorale in Kalispell, Montana. This 80-voice, auditioned ensemble prepares and performs great choral music of the past and present, as well as the great standards of symphonic choral literature.

Wim Oosterhoff has a passion for the performing arts and has been involved in events organisation for over 25 years, as president of the Wellington Youth Orchestra, Nelson Civic Choir and Nelson Performing Arts competitions. A major achievement was staging the New Zealand Premiere of Sir Karl Jenkins’ Cantata Memoria. For the Children of Aberfan in Wellington in 2017 under the baton of Dr. Jonathan Griffith, involving the Wellington Youth Orchestra and choristers from New Zealand and Australia. Wim is looking forward to a continued relationship with DCINY.

Vox Kiwiana Vox Kiwiana is an ad hoc choir assembled from singers who performed in the New Zealand premiere of Sir Karl Jenkins’ Cantata Memoria. For the Children of Aberfan in Wellington in October 2017. This concert was under the baton of Dr. Jonathan Griffith. The members are mainly from New Zealand (Wellington and Nelson), but we also have two members further away (Germany and Australia). Being such a geographically spread choir means that rehearsals are coordinated via electronic communication. With the current availability of on-line practice materials, we are confident to come to New York well prepared!

Thomas Preiß, choir director BDC, studied at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart. He teaches at the Friedrich-List-Gymnasium in Reutlingen and is musical director of several choirs. Well-known are his big performances with more than 3000 singers as well as the concerts with Monrose, Nena, Xavier Naidoo and the Fischer-choirs. With his choirs, Thomas Preiß framed the official celebrations of the German Federal Government on the 20th anniversary of German unification in Berlin. Queen Silvia of Sweden was very happy about his musical welcome during her visit to Germany. His choirs took part in television broadcasts transmitted throughout Germany.

The Performers are member of the choir Da Capo, one of three choirs of the Gesangverein Raidwangen 1898 e.V. Da Capo was founded in 1997 by our director Thomas Preiß for the younger singers who want to perform some modern kind of music including rock and pop songs, musicals and Gospel. But also classical music is being performed. Most of our performances are presented without choral score and we do some choreography in order to offer our audience not only listening pleasure, but also a visual pleasure. Outstanding appearances in the last years were the "Fernsehgarten" on television, a backing choir for a Queen Show in Stuttgart and the performance of the musical "Joseph".

Thomas Preiß, choir director BDC, studied at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart. He teaches at the Friedrich-List-Gymnasium in Reutlingen and is musical director of several choirs. Well-known are his big performances with more than 3000 singers as well as the concerts with Monrose, Nena, Xavier Naidoo and the Fischer-choirs. With his choirs, Thomas Preiß framed the official celebrations of the German Federal Government on the 20th anniversary of German unification in Berlin. Queen Silvia of Sweden was very happy about his musical welcome during her visit to Germany. His choirs took part in television broadcasts transmitted throughout Germany.

The Reutlinger Liederkranz is one of the oldest singing clubs in Germany and exists more than 190 years with five mixed choirs who represent the full range of choral music. Singers are from 10 to well over 80 years, which is a statement that singing keeps you young and healthy. The chronology varies depending on the ensemble from classical to arrangements of modern music. The musical management has Thomas Preiß, choir director BDC. With new ensembles is committed to promoting young talent to a considerable extent, thus making a significant contribution to cultural preservation of the songs and connects generations.

Following a successful Mexico City debut at age of 12, Mexican concert pianist Francisco Fernandez has enjoyed a busy international career as both performer and teaching artist. A sought-after musician, he has performed in numerous halls and auditoriums around the world with great acclaim for his sensitive and passionate interpretations as a soloist, chamber musician and conductor. He holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from The Boston Conservatory and currently serves as Music Director and Choir Conductor at Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford, MA.

The Central Congregational Church Choir of Chelmsford, MA has a long-standing tradition of high-quality performances. These concerts have allowed community musicians both professional and amateur to perform side by side with world-class instrumentalists and singers, while providing the community at large the opportunity to experience a full orchestra and choir in a quality only available at the world’s most renowned venues. Recent performances under music director Francisco Fernandez have featured works by Händel, Mozart, Bach, Stainer, among others, including Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and John Rutter’s Gloria. Future performances include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Pasquale A. Pascaretti has been the Director of the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale since 1975. Under his leadership, the Chorale has grown from a small community chorus to the premier choir in Macomb County, Michigan. He consistently challenges the choir to achieve more and has expanded its repertoire of sophisticated classical and contemporary compositions. Pasquale was a music educator in the Fraser Public Schools, Fraser Michigan, for forty-three years, retiring in June 2015. While at Fraser, he was instrumental in establishing the Arts Academy program offering expanded opportunities in the arts for high school students.

Now celebrating its 49th season, the Metropolitan Detroit Chorale is a mixed voice ensemble of 90+ singers committed to excellence in choral performance. In addition to presenting its seasonal concerts and contemporary cabaret performances, the Chorale makes a commitment to serve the community from which it draws its support. MDC's mission is to musically educate and enrich the community by "Bringing Music to Life and Lives to Music."

Graduated from University of Hong Kong, Celia Leung started conducting in the age of 11. She has worked with singers from all ages. In 2015 and 2016, she founded Sing City (a vocal ensemble) and Phoenix Singers, Hong Kong. Both groups are mostly made up of expats who love to share their passion in singing during their leisure time. The Choirs present performances regularly in the city. Prior to be a music director, Celia was a producer to various music groups.

Phoenix Singers, Hong Kong was founded in 2016. Led by Celia Leung, the choir is named after the many flame trees that are found around the city. Phoenix Singers has performed at various locations in HK, including Sheung Wan Civic Centre, HK Arts Centre and more. The choir rehearses weekly and presents 3 concerts a year.

William Steele bio William Steele has served as Director of Music Ministries at the First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, Georgia since August of 2000. Originally from Houston, TX, Bill served 3 churches in Texas before moving to Georgia. He is a graduate of Texas State University holding a Bachelor’s degree in French horn performance. Bill’s love of the church is evident in his desire to bring beauty and wonder to the worship service through the musical selections. “All that we do, and say, and sing should bring glory to God. A worship service should be of the highest quality in all aspects – the preaching, the singing, the liturgy and even the quiet moments.” Bill is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful church and faith family. Bill is married to Robin and they have 2 adult children and 1 grandson.

For almost 200 years the Methodist Christians have been gathering for worship in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Currently the membership of the First United Methodist Church is around 3000 and encompasses many different ministries in the church, community and the world. Music has always played a large role in the life of the local church. Aside from providing music for each Sunday worship service, recent history of the Chancel Choir includes concert presentations of major works by Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn and Rutter. All have been accompanied by orchestra with professional musicians from the Atlanta area. The choir has produced two audio CDs of anthems that showcase the choirs various styles of sacred music. The choir has an enrollment of 70 singers.

Roy Hoobler is a local music teacher and store owner in Enterprise, Alabama. Roy has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Marshall University in Piano Performance. He has also studied voice and organ. He works as a church musician and teaches several homeschool ensembles. Roy is president of the local National Federation of Music Club chapter and involved with the MTNA.

The Masterworks Choir of Enterprise was formed in 2013 to fill a community need in southeastern Alabama. The 20 member ensemble has performed works from Elijah and the Messiah. Their spring show features American music and Broadway musicals. This is the second time members of the choir have joined with DCINY.

Dr. Scott Eric Anderson conducts the ISU Chamber & Concert Choirs, the Camerata Singers, and teaches Choral Conducting, Choral Methods, and Voice. Dr. Anderson has received Idaho State University’s Master Teacher and Outstanding Public Service awards on three occasions. Anderson received the Bachelor of Arts in Music from Whitworth College, the Master of Music from Westminster Choir College, and the Doctor of Musical Arts from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has studied conducting with such eminent teachers as Eph Ehly, Joseph Flummerfelt, Allen Corwell, Frauke Hassemann, Wilhelm Ehmann, Robert Shaw, and many others. Choirs under Dr. Anderson’s direction have traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. Dr. Anderson also serves as the Artistic Director of the Idaho International Choral Festival where choral groups from around the world join together in Pocatello, Idaho. He has served the American Choral Directors Association in state, divisional, and national offices, and has been featured as guest conductor, lecturer, and teacher throughout the United States and abroad.

The Camerata Singers of Pocatello, Idaho, USA is a community symphonic choir of 100 voices under the direction of Dr. Scott E Anderson. Founded in 1968 by Chilton Phoenix and Ferris Edgley, the choir has performed almost every major choral work in its fifty year history as well as numerous shorter pieces including motets, carols, and opera choruses. Two of the original sixteen voices still sing in the choir today. In recent years the choir has performed the Mozart and Brahms Requiems; Mozart's Mass in C Major, Shubert's Mass in G, Poulenc's Gloria, Orff's Carmina Burana, Mahler's 8th Symphony, Mendelssohn's Elijah, and numerous shorter pieces. The smaller touring choir is composed of a combination of community members from Southeast Idaho, in the northern Rocky Mountains, and students from Idaho State University. Camerata Singers have performed in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the British Isles, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Greece

Known for his ability to inspire musicians and audiences alike, Jeffrey Bernstein is one of Southern California's pre-eminent choral conductors. Trained at Harvard, Yale and UCLA, Bernstein was Director of Choral Music at Occidental College in Los Angeles for eleven years before leaving in 2008 to found the Pasadena Master Chorale. He has led choirs on fourteen tours of four continents and traveled extensively as a guest conductor, leading choirs and orchestras in Europe, Japan and throughout this country. In 2012 Bernstein led the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in Life of Mozart, an education program he created interpolating readings from Mozart’s letters with excerpts from the composer’s best-loved music. In June 2013 Bernstein became the first American to lead the annual concert of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Naruto, Japan, the city where the work was first heard in Asia, ninety-five years ago. On the same concert, which featured over 800 performers, Bernstein premiered his symphonic poem Dreams of Japan, composed for the occasion. The work received its United States premiere in Los Angeles in 2014. Bernstein's Fukushima Requiem, composed in response to the Tohoku tsunami disaster, has been performed three times in America and Japan, raising nearly ,000 for relief and rebuilding efforts. Bernstein has composed and premiered dozens of other concert works including orchestra pieces, choral-orchestral works, solo songs, chamber music and over thirty works for chorus. Bernstein has released two albums of improvised piano music, PianoJournals (2012) and Clear Mind Calm Water (2015). A committed educator and a strong advocate for children Bernstein maintains a private studio and is on staff at the Pasadena Waldorf School, where he creates improvised piano music for young people.

L.A.Daiku was established in 2009 following the Beethoven No.9 Concert “Bridging U.S.A. and Japan” sponsored by Japan Business Association at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Since their inception, L.A. Daiku has strengthened the Japanese Daiku tradition and forged personal connections by performances of the Daiku in L.A. in January and in Naruto, Tokushima, Japan in June every year. L.A. Daiku is a member of “All-Japan Association of Daiku Choral Societies” organized by the mayor of Naruto and became a directorial group since 2014. Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein is the artistic director and conductor of L.A. Daiku since 2009. L.A. Daiku rehearses on Tuesday from 6:30pm to 9pm at Hollywood Japanese Cultural Institute. L.A. Daiku also offers private vocal lessons by Dr. Lauren Buckley Schaer (soprano) and Mr. Robert MacNeil (tenor) at 7pm on Tuesdays. L.A. Daiku established the Non-Profit Organization, 501(c)3, in 2013. L.A. Daiku’s work is inspired by Schiller’s words, made famous by Beethoven “All men shall be brothers.” Everyone is welcome to join. LADaiku@aol.com www.ladaiku.org